Ski training apparatus

ABSTRACT

A ski training device for simulating substantially all of the movements encountered during normal skiing, such as longitudinal, vertical and sidewards of tilting movements. Each ski is advantageously supported by at least one pair of spaced rollers, and the skis may rest either directly upon the rollers, or upon endless belts passing around and extending between the forward and rearward rollers of each pair. According to one embodiment of the invention longitudinal movement of the skis may be imparted by a crank arrangement which acts upon flexible pulley cords or belts to lengthwise shift the skis. A further embodiment of the invention contemplates vertical pivotal movement of each roller through the provision of a hydraulic cylinder drive arrangement which is operatively associated with lever members acting upon the rollers. A further embodiment of the invention and serving for producing irregular longitudinal and transverse tilting movement of the skis contemplates eccentrically mounting the rollers upon transverse axles, the forward and rearward rollers of each pair being counter rotated by means of a gear train, the rollers supporting one ski rotating faster than those supporting the other ski to thereby produce both longitudinal and tilting movement of the skis. The invention also teaches the possibility of not powering the rollers but having such mounted so as to be freely rotatable in response to forward and rearward movement of the skis. Weights or springs may be used for rotationally biasing the rollers to a rest position and providing resistance against rotation. Hydraluc cylinders or cam operated crank arms may also be provided for effecting vertical or pivotal movement of each roller relative to the others.

United States Patent 1 91 Reinhard [451 Jan-.16. 27 i [541 SKI TRAININGAPPARATUS Paul Reinhard, 4917 Melchau, Switzerland [22] Filed: Oct. 20,1969 [21] Appl. No.: 867,711

[76] Inventor:

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 13, 1968 Switzerland.....16902/68 [52] U.S. Cl. ..272/57 B [51] Int. Cl. ..A63b 69/18 [58]Field of Search ..272/57 B, 69, 56.5 SS, 1 R

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,274,081 2/1942 Mautin..272/57 B 2,573,808 11/1951 Ravoire ..272/57 B Primary Examiner-RichardC. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Richard J. Apley Attorney-Werner W.Kleeman [57 ABSTRACT A ski training device for simulating substantiallyall of the movements encountered during normal skiing, such aslongitudinal, vertical and sidewards of tilting movements. Each ski isadvantageously supported by at least one pair of spaced rollers, and theskis may rest either directly upon the rollers, or upon endless beltspassing around and extending between the forward and rearward rollers ofeach pair. According to one embodiment of the invention longitudinalmovement of the skis may be imparted by a crank arrangement which actsupon flexible pulley cords or belts to lengthwise shift the skis. Afurther embodiment of the invention contemplates vertical pivotalmovement of each roller through the provision of a hydraulic cylinderdrive arrangement which is operatively associated with lever membersacting upon the rollers. A further embodiment of the invention andserving for producing irregular longitudinal and transverse tiltingmovement of the skis contemplates eccentrically mounting the rollersupon transverse axles, the forward and rearward rollers of each pairbeing counter rotated by means of a gear train, the rollers supportingone ski rotating faster than those supporting the other ski to therebyproduce both longitudinal and tilting movement of the skis. Theinvention also teaches the possibility of not powering the rollers buthaving such mounted so as to be freely rotatable in response to forwardand rearward movement of the skis. Weights or springs may be used forrotationally biasing the rollers to a rest position and providingresistance against rotation. Hydraluc cylinders or cam operated crankarms may also be prov1ded for effectmg vertical or pivotal movement ofeach roller relative to the others.

19 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAH I 6 197a 3.711.089

sum 1 [IF 5 PATENTEDJAH 16 1975 SHEET 3 OF 5 F/Gd PATENTED N IBB 3 711089 SHEET 6 UF 5 M (@S I W SKI TRAINING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to ski training devices, andparticularly to a practice device for simulating the movements involvedin actual skiing.

It is known to provide devices which can be used by a skier to practicevarious movements involved in skiing, which devices are designed for useeither indoors or at any other location where a suitable snow-coveredsurface is either temporarily or permanently unavailable for practice.One such known device comprises a plurality of mats having bristles orthe like ontheir upper surfaces, which mats may be placedsemi-permanently upon a level surface or a slope and which offer a fairsubstitute for snow for skiing upon. However, to be effective, such matsmust cover a wide area and hence take up a great deal of space, andinasmuch as they represent a considerable investment of space and money,these mats can obviously not be used in all cations and under allcircumstances where they might otherwise be desirable.

Other training devices are known which employ tiltable or rotatingsupports for skis in a fixed location to simulate either twistingmovements or long crosscountry striding movements, depending upon theparticular construction involved. However, these known devices aregenerally capable of only a limited number of movements and hencedevelop skill in only a limited fraction of the desired turning ormoving exercises for skiing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With the above background in mind, it istherefore a primary object of the invention to provide a ski trainingdevice which will enable practicing a wide variety of the movementsencountered in skiing.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a trainingdevice which requires a minimum of space, and preferably requires aspace only slightly greater than the length ofa pair of skis.

It s yet a further object of the invention to provide such a skitraining device which can develop as general a ski training backgroundas possible and which in particular will develop a good sense ofbalance, quick reflex action, and intensive muscle training on the partof the skier.

These as well as other objects of the invention which will becomeevident as the description proceeds, are implemented by the provision ofa ski training device according to the present invention, which,generally speaking, comprises at least one supporting means movableelevationally and in the lengthwise direction of the ski, and upon whichthe ski always bears. According to a specific embodiment, the inventioncomprises supporting means for each ski comprising at least a pair ofrollers having parallel axes disposed transversely to the axes of theskis, the skis resting either directly upon the rollers or upon endlessbelts passing around and extending between the forward and rearwardrollers in each pair.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rollers areeccentrically mounted upon their transverse axles out of phase withrespect to each other and the rollers of each pair are counter-rotatedby a motor and gear drive so that alternate forward and rearwardlongitudinal and tilting movements are produced. Means are provided forsequential or independent vertical and pivoting movements of therespective axles to further produce sideways tilting motions.

In further embodiments of the invention, the rollers are non-powered androtate responsive to longitudinal movements of the skis thereupon. Therollers are centrally mounted upon their respective axles and includemeans to bias each roller rotationally to a rest position and/or meansto produce vertical or pivotal movements of each axle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be betterunderstood from the following detailed description of a preferredembodiment of the invention as well as several alternative embodiments,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the training device constructedin accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal schematic view showing the means for producingopposing longitudinal movement of two skis;

FIG. 3 is a vertical side elevational view, partially in section,showing one form of arrangement for producing vertical movement of therollers;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal plane view, partially in section, showing thedrive means for the rollers; and

FIGS. 5 through 9 are side elevational views showing schematically fivealternative arrangements for producing rotational and/or verticalmovements of the rollers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring first to FIG. 1, a skitraining device is illustrated comprising supporting means for a pair ofskis, which supporting means preferably comprises four drums or rollersl, 2, 3, 4 which are rotatably journaled by any suitable means at theends thereof in a stationary frame, not shown. The frame has securedthereto longitudinally extending upright side walls 5 and 6 which extendabove the upper surfaces of the rollers and define therebetween alateral enclosed space for a pair of skis resting upon rollers l and 2and rollers 3 and 4, respectively. Flooring panels 7, 8, and 9 fill thespaces in front of forward rollers 2 and 3 and behind the rearwardrollers l and 4 as well as between the forward and rearward rollers, andare recessed below the upper surfaces of the rollers.

Extending generally parallel to the upright side walls 5 and 6 andsupported thereabove at any suitable height by vertical support members11 and 12, are a pair of handrails forming hand operated control rods 10and 13. Control rod 10 is connected by a suitable mechanical linkage,switch means, or other means, not shown, to control means within avertically extending control housing 14 situated at one corner of thedevice, and serves to control the on-off operation of the device. As anexample, control rod 10 may be rigidly secured to vertical supportmember 11 at one end thereof, which support member is pivotable aboutits lower end within side wall 6, and is suitably connected to a linkageor switch means so that lateral displacement of control rod 10 to eitherside of its central vertical position, in the direction of the doublearrow, will actuate the drive means for the rollers. Hence, release ofcontrol rod 10 to its central upright position, for instance, willshutrdown the device and thus acts as a so-called dead-man control.Similarly, floor panels 7, 8 and 9, or any combination thereof, ifdesired, can also function to shut-off the mechanism, as in the eventthe skier falls from the rollers onto one of the panels. Then the floorpanels act also as dead-man pedals with a reverse switching action.Conversely, control rod 13 may be rotatably mounted within verticalsupport member 12 and within control housing 14 and may be connected tosuitable control means, for instance for controlling the speed of thedrive means by rotation of the control rod 13, as shown by the doublearrow.

Control housing 14 may also include indicating means for indicating theoperating condition of the device. A suitable first dial 15 may indicatethe rotational speed at which the device is operating, and a second dial16 may indicate the elapsed time that the device has been operatingduring training. The device may be used as a coin-operated mechanism, inwhich case a suitable coin slot 17, together with suitable internal coincontrol means, and a malfunction indicator such as a signal light 18 areprovided, and time indicator dial 16 may then indicate the amount ofremaining time left to the user before completion of the cycle andshut-off of the apparatus. In use, the skier enters the device of FIG.1, in the direction of arrow 19 thereof.

Means may be included for restraining the skis against improper orexcessive movement, which may comprise a longitudinal divider member 8,shown in phantom in FIG. 1, which acts as side stop means and serves tokeep each ski on its respective side of the device. Additionally,removable transverse end stop means, not shown, may also be included toprevent the skis from overunning the forward or rearward ends of thedevice. Further, partition or divider member 8' can also be used, ifdesired, to shut-off the device.

In FIG. 2 means are shown for impartinG longitudinal movement to theskis independently of the rotation of the rollers. Rollers l, 2, 3 and 4are shown with skis SK] and SK-2 in position thereupon; the rear ends ofthe skis are connected to each other by a first flexible cord or rope5-1 which passes around a pulley or roller R positioned behind the rearends of the skis. By means of this cord S-1 and pulley R, it is clearthat forward movement of one of the skis, e.g., SK-l, will result inrearward movement of the other ski. Roller R is biased towards a firstanchor point upon the frame by means of a first tension spring F-l. Theforward end of one of the skis, SK-2, is connected by means of a secondflexible cord or rope S3 to a second tension spring F-2, which is inturn secured to a second anchor point on the frame. First and secondflexible cords S1 and S-3, pulley R, and first and second tensionsprings F-] and F-2, together form a buffer means for the skis toprevent jerky or irregular longitudinal movements of the skis.

The forward end of ski SK-l is secured by means ofa third flexible cordor rope S-2, passing around first and second guide rollers R and R", toa crank pin KZ mounted on the end ofa crank arm K, which crank arm K isdriven by any suitable drive means and may either rotate continuously ormay oscillate. It is apparent that during a portion of the travel ofcrank pin K2, the cord S-2 and hence ski SK-l will be drawn forwardly,and in turn will draw ski SK-2 rearwardly due to the action of cord S-lpassing around pulley or roller R. During the return travel of crank pinKZ, cord 8-2 will be slackened and skis SK-l and SK-2 will return totheir normal positions due to the return biasing action of springs F-land F-2. Thus, it will be seen that alternating and opposing forward andrearward movements of skis SK-l and SK-Z will be produced.

In FIG. 3 means are shown for producing vertical pivoting movements ofeach drum relative to the other drums. Although the drums supportingonly one ski SK are illustrated, it should be evident that thissupporting structure may be substantially duplicated on the other sideof the device to support the other ski. Drums 1 and 2, correspondinggenerally to drums 1 and 2 in FIGS. 1 and 2, are rotatably mounted onthe inner ends of horizontal portions of lever arms SH-l and SH-Z,respectively, and are counter-rotated by means of drive motors M-l, M-2and drive belts R-l and R-2, respectively, the drive motors also beingsecured to the respective lever arms to pivot therewith. Lever arms SH-1and SH-2 pivot about fixed pivot points secured to the frame, and havethe lower ends of their vertical portions pivotally connected to theouter ends of piston rods PL-l and PL-2, which piston rods have pistonsPk-l and PK2 on the opposite ends thereof, sliding within hydrauliccylinders P-1 and P-2, respectively. The hydraulic cylinders P-1 and P-2may be kept at a constant pressure or may be subject to a cyclicallyvariable pressure to effect oscillating motion of the lever arms SH-land SH-2 and hence the drums I and 2.

As the ski SK moves forwardly or rearwardly, the center of gravityshifts accordingly and exerts greater or lesser pressure on each of therespective drums l and 2, thus creating a greater or lesser frictionalforce between the rotating drum and the SK and resulting in the skibeing driven alternately forwardly and backwardly as the weight shifts.In this manner, the skier is constantly forced to shift his own weightto compensate for or match these movements of the skis.

Means are shown in FIG. 4 for producing irregular longitudinal andtransverse tilting of the skis. In this figure, four drums 1", 2", 3",and 4" are provided, each of which has an eccentric hollow shaft H-l,H-2, H3,and H-4,.respectively, extending in a generally axial directiontherethrough. Front and rear axles HA-Z and HA-l are rigidly mountedbetween side frame members RA and pass through the respective hollowshafts l-I-2, H-3 and H-l, H4 of the drums so that the drums areindividually free to rotate about the respective shafts HA-l and PIA-2.

Each hollow shaft terminates in a respective toothed gear Z-l, 2-2, 2-3and 2-4 rigidly attached thereto. The toothed gears on each side of thedevice are driven by a motor M-ll, M-Z through bevel gear pair W-l, W-2and a pair of counter-rotating gears ZS, Z6 and Z-7, 2-8, whichrespectively engage the gears 2-1, 2-2, 2-4, and 2-3. Gears 2-5 and Z7of each counter-rotating pair each have fewer teeth than gears Z6 and2-8 of the respective pairs, so that forward drums 2" and 3 rotate at agreater speed that rear drums 1" and 4". In addition, motors M-ll andM-12 may operate at different speeds so that all four drums are rotatingat different speeds from each other. Due to the eccentric mounting ofthe rollers upon their respective hollow shafts, rotation of the rollerswill produce a highly irregular cyclic pattern of longitudinal andtransverse tilting of the skis SK supported thereby, particularly ifdifferent drive speeds are used for the rollers. Alternately, theforward and rearward rollers may be driven at the same speed, in whichcase the rollers are constantly out of phase and produce a regulartilting movement whose frequency will depend upon the rotational speedof the rollers. As a further alternative, it is possible to utilize asingle motor to drive the rollers on only one side and thereby obtain anasynchronous operation of the rollers on the other side by means of aslip clutch, hydraulic converter, or the like. It is also possible toutilize a single motor in such a way that the four rollers, in a giveneccentric phase displacement, are regulated relative to each other.

FIGS. 5 through 9 depict modifications of the invention which can beutilized to effect various combinations of tilting motions. In thesefigures, two rollers 100 and 200 on one side of the device areillustrated supporting a single ski SK, and it will be understood thatthe structure shown is substantially duplicated on the other side of thedevice. In FIGS. 5, 6, 8, and 9, an endless belt 101 passes aroundrollers 100 and 200, and the ski SK is supported upon the upper run ofbelt 101.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, rollers 100 and 200 are rotatably mounted upon theouter horizontal ends of angled lever arms 110, 210 which are pivotablymounted upon fixed bearing means 113 rigidly secured to the frame. Thelower vertical ends of these lever arms carry cam follower meanspreferably comprising rotatable cam follower rollers lll and 112, whichrollers engage the outer surface of a rotating eccentric cam EX havingirregular lobes thereupon and driven by any suitable drive means. Itwill be seen that the weight of rollers 100, 200 will keep the camfollowers 111, 112 biased towards the surface of cam EX. and thatrotation of the cam will cause the lobes to move the cam followerrollers I11, 112 outwardly and hence pivot the supports for rollers 100and 200 upwardly. By selecting a cam of suitable contour, any desiredpattern or sequence of pivoting may be provided for rollers 100 and 200relative to each other, inasmuch as lever arms 110 and 210 are free tpivot independently of each other.

In these two modifications, the rollers 100 and 200 and endless belt 101are not power driven but are substantially free to rotate responsive toforward and rearward longitudinal movements of the skier, depicted byarrow SKB. Means are provided for rotationally biasing the rollerstowards a rest or equilibrium position to prevent excessive movement ofthe skis and to provide a resistance to such movement in order toimprove the value of the exercises. In FIG. 5, each of the rollers 100,200 has secured thereto by any suitable means, preferably interior ofthe rollers, eccentric weights 102, 202; it will be appreciated that therollers 100, 200 will tend to assume a rest or equilibrium position withthe eccentric weights 102, 202 downward.

FIG. 6 differs from FIG. only in that the eccentric weights I02 and 202are eliminated and instead a spring biasing system is utilized. Each ofthe rollers 100, 200 has rigidly secured thereto a small pulley 104,204; a flexible rope or cord 105 is passed around each of the pulleys inturn, and the opposite ends of rope 105 are secured to tension springs103 and 203 which are in turn secured to the frame rearwardly andforwardly, respectively, of the rollers and 200. It will be appreciatedthat as ski SK moves forwardly and rearwardly in the direction of arrowSKB, cord will be drawn in the opposite direction by one of the springs103 and 203 against the pull of the other spring, and hence thesesprings will act to bias the rollers 100, 200 towards a centralequilibrium or rest position.

In FIG. 7 a modification is shown substantially similar to FIG. 6, withthe lever arms and 210 and eccentric cam EX removed for clarity. In thismodification no belt 101 is provided, the ski SK resting directly uponrollers 100 and 200; however, operation is otherwise identical with themodification of FIG. 6.

In FIG. 9 another modification is shown also substantially similar tothat of FIG. 6, with the lever arms 110 and 210 and eccentric cam EXagain removed for clarity. In this modification a belt 101 passes aroundrollers 100 and 200 and supports ski SK thereupon, as described above;in place of the biasing means, however, driven means are provided foralternately producing forward and rearward movement of the ski SK. Oneof the rollers, illustrated as 100, has rigidly secured to one end ofits axle a driving arm 232. Arm 232 is pivotally attached at its endopposite roller 100, to a crank arm 231 which is operated by a rotatablecrank 230, driven by any suitable drive means in either direction, asshown by the double arrow. It should be clear that rotation of crank 230will oscillate driving arm 232 and hence roller 100, and thereforealternate forward and rearward motion of ski SK supported thereon willresult, as shown by arrow SKB.

FIG. 8 illustrates a further modification of the invention wherein thecam operated tilting means of FIGS. 5 through 7 is replaced by ahydraulic tilting means. Rollers 100 and 200 have a supporting bar 121extending therebetween and rotatably secured at its opposite ends to theaxles 122 and 222 of the respective rollers. A first vertical hydrauliccylinder 124 has a piston 125 sliding therein, secured at its outer endto a piston rod 123 which is pivotally mounted upon arm 121 intermediatethe axles 122 and 222; a second vertical hydraulic cylinder 224 has apiston 225 sliding therein and secured to a second piston rod 223pivotally mounted upon arm 121 adjacent the axle 222 of roller 200.Hydraulic cylinders I24 and 224 are connected to any suitable pressuresource and to a control means, not shown, so that any desired pattern ofvertical movement of piston rods 123 and 223, and hence tilting of skiSK, is produced. Additionally, tension springs and 220, secured at oneend thereof to bar 121 in the vicinity of first piston rod 123 and atthe other end thereof to belt 101, may be provided to bias the rollers100 and 200 and belt 101 towards a rest position, as described above.

In all of the above embodiments, the two forward rollers may, ifdesired, be constructed as a single roller serving as a common supportfor the front ends of both skis; the two rearward rollers may likewisebe constructed as a single roller supporting the rear ends of the skis.As a further modification, a rigid support such as a board or slat mayrest upon the forward and rearward rollers and support the skisthereupon, in place of the rollers alone or the rollers and an endlessbelt. It is possible, if desired, to thereby eliminate one of therollers.

It will be .evident that the invention may be constructed by combiningthe above modifications in numerous ways in addition to those alreadyspecifically described in detail. The embodiments given asrepresentative examples merely serve to show that by means of thetraining device of this invention, practically all movements of skiingcan be simulatedso that an ideal training apparatus may be constructedby relatively simple means.

It is also evident that by constructing a ski training device accordingto the above detailed description, all of the objects set forth in theintroduction have been successfully fulfilled. Accordingly,

What is claimed is:

l. A ski training device comprising support means supporting a pair ofskis, means for imparting forward and rearward longitudinal movement toat least one of said skis, means for tilting said support means in atleast one direction, said supporting means comprising at least one pairof forward and rearward support rollers respectively supporting theforward and rearward ends of each of said skis, said rollers beingrotatable about axes disposed transversely to the length of said skis,and said means for imparting motion to said ski comprises drive meansfor counter-rotating the rollers of said pair of rollers relative toeach other.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said tilting means compriseseccentric axles upon which each of said rollers is rotatably mounted.

3. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein the forward and rearwardrollers of each said pair of rollers are driven at different rotationalspeeds relative to each other.

4. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein two pairs of said rollers areprovided, each of said rollers being driven at a different rotationalspeed fromeach of the others of said rollers.

5. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said tilting means comprises acrank arm associated with each of said rollers, said crank arm having avertical portion and a horizontal portion and pivotally mounted upon astationary frame portion of the device intermediate said horizontal andvertical portions, each said axle being pivotally secured to the end ofsaid horizontal portion, and means engaging said vertical portion forpivoting said crank arm, thereby pivoting said axle and said rollertherewith.

6. A device as defined in claim 5 wherein said last named meanscomprises the piston rod of a hydraulic piston.

7. A device as defined in claim 5 wherein said last named meanscomprises a rotary cam.

S. A ski training device comprising support means supporting a pair ofskis, means for imparting forward and rearward longitudinal movement toat least one of said skis, means for tilting said support means in atleast one direction, said supporting means comprises at least one pairof forward and rearward support rollers respectively supporting theforward and rearward ends of each of said skis, said rollers beingrotatable about axes disposed transversely to the length of said skis,and said means for imparting motion to said ski comprises a crank armadapted for rotation and having a crank pin secured to one end thereof,and a flexible rope secured at one end thereof to said crank pin and atthe other end thereof to the forward end of said one ski, wherebyrotation of said crank arm will draw one ski forwardly.

9. A device as defined in claim 8, further comprising return springmeans to draw said one ski rearwardly opposite the action of said crankarm and said rope.

10. A device as defined in claim 9, further comprising a second flexiblerope secured at one end thereof to the rearward end of said one ski andat the other end thereof to the rearward end of the other of said skis,and passing over a pulley intermediate said ends of said rope, wherebyforward movement of either ski will draw the other ski rearwardly.

11. A ski training device comprising support means supporting a pair ofskis, means for imparting forward and rearward longitudinal movement toat least one of said skis, means for tilting said support means in atleast one pair of forward and rearward support rollers respectivelysupporting the forward and rearward ends of each of said skis, saidrollers being rotatable about axes disposed transversely to the lengthof said skis, and said means for imparting motion to said ski comprisesa crank arm rigidly secured at one end thereof to at least one of saidrollers, said crank arm being pivotally secured at its other end to arotating crank, whereby rotation of said crank will oscillate said crankarm and said roller.

12. A ski training device comprising means for supporting at least oneof a pair of skis, and means for moving said supporting means verticallyand in the longitudinal direction of said ski, said supporting meanscomprising at least two rollers, each of which rollers is rotatableabout an axis, the axes of said rollers being disposed transversely tothe longitudinal axis of said skis, at least one of said rollers beingadapted to be pivoted vertically, each of said rollers being pivotallymountedon a lever arm.

13. A ski training device comprising means for supporting at least oneof a pair of skis, and means for moving said supporting means verticallyand in the longitudinal direction of said ski, said supporting meanscomprising at least two rollers, each of which rollers is rotatableabout an axis, the axes of said rollers being disposed transversely tothe longitudinal axis of said skis, at least one of said rollerscomprises an eccentric member.

14. A device as defined in claim 13 wherein the axis of said eccentricmember is rotatably secured eccentrically to said member.

15. A ski training device comprising means for supporting at least oneof a pair of skis, and means for moving said supporting means verticallyand in the longitudinal direction of said ski, said supporting meanscomprises at least two rollers, each of which rollers is rotatable aboutan axis, the axes of said rollers being disposed transversely to thelongitudinal axis of said skis, and said two rollers each being drivenby motor means in opposite rotational directions relative to each other.

16. A device as defined in claim 15 wherein said rollers supporting oneof said skis are driven at a different rotational speed from the rollerssupporting the other of said skis.

17. A ski training device comprising means for supporting at least oneof a pair of skis, and means for moving said supporting means verticallyand in the longitudinal direction of said ski, said supporting meanscomprising four rollers rotatably secured within a frame, said rollersbeing driven by motor means about eccentric axes, at least both rollerssupporting one of disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis of saidsaid skis being driven at the same rotational speed, and ki d f th m i ihandrails disposed to the the rollers supporting different skis rotatingat different Side of Said supporting means one of Said handraflsrotational speeds. b

em ada ted to o erate a sto 1n means for said rol- 18. A ski trainingdevice comprising means for sup- 5 p p pp g porting at least one of apan of skls and means for 19. A device as defined in claim 18 whereinthe other moving said supporting means vertically and in thelongitudinal direction of Said ski said Supporting means of saidhandrails is adapted to operate a speed control means for said rollers.

comprises at least two rollers, each of which rollers is rotatable aboutan axis, the axes of said rollers being

1. A ski training device comprising support means supporting a pair ofskis, means for imparting forward and rearward longitudinal movement toat least one of said skis, means for tilting said support means in atleast one direction, said supporting means comprising at least one pairof forward and rearward support rollers respectively supporting theforward and rearward ends of each of said skis, said rollers beingrotatable about axes disposed transversely to the length of said skis,and said means for imparting motion to said ski comprises drive meansfor counter-rotating the rollers of said pair of rollers relative toeach other.
 2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said tilting meanscomprises eccentric axles upon which each of said rollers is rotatablymounted.
 3. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein the forward andrearward rollers of each said pair of rollers are driven at differentrotational speeds relative to each other.
 4. A device as defined inclaim 2 wherein two pairs of said rollers are provided, each of saidrollers being driven at a different rotational speed from each of theothers of said rollers.
 5. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein saidtilting means comprises a crank arm associated with each of saidrollers, said crank arm having a vertical portion and a horizontalportion and pivotally mounted upon a stationary frame portion of thedevice intermediate said horizontal and vertical portions, each saidaxle being pivotally secured to the end of said horizontal portion, andmeans engaging said vertical portion for pivoting said crank arm,thereby pivoting said axle and said roller therewith.
 6. A device asdefined in claim 5 wherein said last named means comprises the pistonrod of a hydraulic piston.
 7. A device as defined in claim 5 whereinsaid last named means comprises a rotary cam.
 8. A ski training devicecomprising support means supporting a pair of skis, means for impartingforward and rearward longitudinal movement to at least one of said skis,means for tilting said support means in at least one direction, saidsupporting means comprises at least one pair of forward and rearwardsupport rollers respectively supporting the forward and rearward ends ofeach of said skis, said rollers being rotatable about axes disposedtransversely to the length of said skis, and said means for impartingmotion to said ski comprises a crank arm adapted for rotation and havinga crank pin secured to one end thereof, and a flexible rope secured atone end thereof to said crank pin and at the other end thereof to theforward end of said one ski, whereby rotation of said crank arm willdraw one ski forwardly.
 9. A device as defined in claim 8, furthercomprising return spring means to draw said one ski rearwardly oppositethe action of said crank arm and said rope.
 10. A device as defined inclaim 9, further comprising a second flexible rope secured at one endthereof to the rearward end of said one ski and at the other end thereofto the rearward end of the other of said skis, and passing over a pulleyintermediate said ends of said rope, whereby forward movement of eitherski will draw the other ski rearwardly.
 11. A ski training devicecomprising support means supporting a pair of skis, means for impartingforward and rearward longitudinal movement to at least one of said skis,means for tilting said support means in at least one pair of forward andrearward support rollers respectively supporting the forward andrearward ends of each of said skis, said rollers being rotatable aboutaxes disposed transversely to the length of said skis, and said meansfor imparting motion to said ski comprises a crank arm rigidly securedat one end thereof to at least one of said rollers, said crank arm beingpivotally secured at its other end to a rotating crank, whereby rotationof said crank will oscillate said crank arm and said roller.
 12. A skitraining device comprising means for supporting at least one of a pairof skis, and means for moving said supporting means vertically and inthe longitudinal direction of said ski, said supporting means comprisingat least two rollers, each of which rollers is rotaTable about an axis,the axes of said rollers being disposed transversely to the longitudinalaxis of said skis, at least one of said rollers being adapted to bepivoted vertically, each of said rollers being pivotally mounted on alever arm.
 13. A ski training device comprising means for supporting atleast one of a pair of skis, and means for moving said supporting meansvertically and in the longitudinal direction of said ski, saidsupporting means comprising at least two rollers, each of which rollersis rotatable about an axis, the axes of said rollers being disposedtransversely to the longitudinal axis of said skis, at least one of saidrollers comprises an eccentric member.
 14. A device as defined in claim13 wherein the axis of said eccentric member is rotatably securedeccentrically to said member.
 15. A ski training device comprising meansfor supporting at least one of a pair of skis, and means for moving saidsupporting means vertically and in the longitudinal direction of saidski, said supporting means comprises at least two rollers, each of whichrollers is rotatable about an axis, the axes of said rollers beingdisposed transversely to the longitudinal axis of said skis, and saidtwo rollers each being driven by motor means in opposite rotationaldirections relative to each other.
 16. A device as defined in claim 15wherein said rollers supporting one of said skis are driven at adifferent rotational speed from the rollers supporting the other of saidskis.
 17. A ski training device comprising means for supporting at leastone of a pair of skis, and means for moving said supporting meansvertically and in the longitudinal direction of said ski, saidsupporting means comprising four rollers rotatably secured within aframe, said rollers being driven by motor means about eccentric axes, atleast both rollers supporting one of said skis being driven at the samerotational speed, and the rollers supporting different skis rotating atdifferent rotational speeds.
 18. A ski training device comprising meansfor supporting at least one of a pair of skis, and means for moving saidsupporting means vertically and in the longitudinal direction of saidski, said supporting means comprises at least two rollers, each of whichrollers is rotatable about an axis, the axes of said rollers beingdisposed transversely to the longitudinal axis of said skis, and furthercomprising handrails disposed to the side of said supporting means, oneof said handrails being adapted to operate a stopping means for saidrollers.
 19. A device as defined in claim 18 wherein the other of saidhandrails is adapted to operate a speed control means for said rollers.